Minimulist/Barefoot Running

[kristin kreuk]

I have a friend (big hippy, mind you) that has been running like this for years. Run with him a good bit and always made fun of him for running barefoot.

anyways i did a good bit of research and decided to start trying it out.

Not barefoot.....im not that cool..........yet.

but i started off in a pair of old Nike Free's that i cut the soles out of so that i would keep myself from heel striking.

looking to get a pair of Vibram's for Christmas to further ease the tranistion




The Facts Behind It:
Well of course evolution didnt build us up to wear shoes...its a construct of the "civilized" man in order to keep comfortable and have soft pretty feet.

but the fact of that matter is that these very cushiony running shoes actual increase chance of injury and prolonged strain on joints and muscles

when you strike with your heel while running in heavily cushioned shoes it puts all of the pressure in alignment with your leg....meaning that the shockwave of force is put on your joints. causing hip pains, lower back pains, ankle and joint pains.

when you run on the balls of your feet like nature intended your feet act as the shock absorber by catching the source of impact then spring back when you push off.







Anyways after about 2 or 3 months of running like this and lightly running on grass barefoot i have to say it has really increased my endurance and form and i no longer get those ankle and joint pains.

i will say that the transition HURTS. since your muscles are used to the other way around.

but after your body adjusts it makes you feel like a ****ing gazelle running on the balls of your feet instead of heel-toe-heel-toe


i know this is a little lengthy and rather random but i just wanted to put this out there for people to read and maybe open your mind up a little bit

i wonder if it helps with shin splints?!??!

[Vitez]

If you want warmer shoe than Vibram than one of the options which is also cheaper is windsurfing shoes which are up to 6mm thick on the upper side

http://www.ion-essentials.com/conten...tic_boots_6_5/

http://www.neilpryde.com/footwear/footwear.html

The thicker models go over the ankle....not sure if it's good or bad...

Another product for street walk

http://si.mbt.com/Home/Benefits.aspx


I'm testing 3mm windsurf shoes for boxing and so far so good....I have a feeling I'll get some hard skin around my thumb. That's all that "hurts"...

[baya]

I did it today man.

Right before my boxing workout.

Ran on pavement in Chucks and didn't feel shit.

i mean you can't get more minimalist than chuck taylor's, you're forced to do the fore or mid-foot strike.

i'm getting another pair of the 5 finger vibrams as well for xmas, can't wait.

i've been using the kinvara's which are awesome, but its time for the next level.

[baya]

i wonder if it helps with shin splints?!??!

i have spoken to a guy that literally said "my knees, splints and IL band symptoms" have stopped after like 3 months in these bad boys.

they get you down to the perfect bio-mechanics of running.

like the guy said, it's sick running like a gazelle, planting your feet directly under your point of gravity and using your muscular system on each step rather than the concentration being placed on your bones.

[kristin kreuk]

i have spoken to a guy that literally said "my knees, splints and IL band symptoms" have stopped after like 3 months in these bad boys.

they get you down to the perfect bio-mechanics of running.

like the guy said, it's sick running like a gazelle, planting your feet directly under your point of gravity and using your muscular system on each step rather than the concentration being placed on your bones.

cool thanks man

[BrooklynBomber]

I have a friend (big hippy, mind you) that has been running like this for years. Run with him a good bit and always made fun of him for running barefoot.

anyways i did a good bit of research and decided to start trying it out.

Not barefoot.....im not that cool..........yet.

but i started off in a pair of old Nike Free's that i cut the soles out of so that i would keep myself from heel striking.

looking to get a pair of Vibram's for Christmas to further ease the tranistion




The Facts Behind It:
Well of course evolution didnt build us up to wear shoes...its a construct of the "civilized" man in order to keep comfortable and have soft pretty feet.

but the fact of that matter is that these very cushiony running shoes actual increase chance of injury and prolonged strain on joints and muscles

when you strike with your heel while running in heavily cushioned shoes it puts all of the pressure in alignment with your leg....meaning that the shockwave of force is put on your joints. causing hip pains, lower back pains, ankle and joint pains.

when you run on the balls of your feet like nature intended your feet act as the shock absorber by catching the source of impact then spring back when you push off.







Anyways after about 2 or 3 months of running like this and lightly running on grass barefoot i have to say it has really increased my endurance and form and i no longer get those ankle and joint pains.

i will say that the transition HURTS. since your muscles are used to the other way around.

but after your body adjusts it makes you feel like a ****ing gazelle running on the balls of your feet instead of heel-toe-heel-toe


i know this is a little lengthy and rather random but i just wanted to put this out there for people to read and maybe open your mind up a little bit

Good stuff, man, the less support your ankles and heels have the better is the running. Same goes for right about every exercise that includes your feed.

[boxingsmash69]

i mean you can't get more minimalist than chuck taylor's, you're forced to do the fore or mid-foot strike.

i'm getting another pair of the 5 finger vibrams as well for xmas, can't wait.

i've been using the kinvara's which are awesome, but its time for the next level.

Somwhat true, only difference is that the soles of the chuck taylor's are still thick, even though it doesn't provide support/cushioning that normal running shoes offer. Having a thinner sole makes it even easier to land on midfoot/forefoot.

[boxingsmash69]

I used to run in cheap shoes when I was younger. I'd also let the soles get so worn out that you could see holes. Both of these were functions of having no money at the time.

So in my 40's, I now have a variety of hip and knee problems. So the moral there is just because you don't feel it now, be warned, that there is a lifetime cummulative effect.

I've seen stuff on barefoot running and it does make sense. A couple of things to consider though:

1. The evolution argument works, but remember, when we were cavemen we didn't run on asphalt and cement. If you are running on those surfaces instead of grass and dirt, you do need some cushioning. Also, back in the day when we were running barefoot and in sabre tooth tiger skins, there was no broken glass or rusty nails to worry about. A bad cut or infection can really reduce your ability to train.

2. If you are in MMA and fight barefoot, there is an advantage to training barefoot. However, if you are a boxer, you fight with footwear. I'd train in footwear whether it's in the ring, on the equipment, or on the road.

1. When you ran back in the day, how was your technique? How were you landing? (midfoot/forefoot/heel strike)

2. You are now in your 40's with a variety of hip and knee problems. Even if you were running correctly (midfoot/forefoot striking) over your lifetime, is it possible that the kind of shoes you wear to work/exercise/hiking/regularly/etc. over time have an effect on your joints/hips today?

I'm theorizing that if someone went through their childhood/teens/adult years wearing shoes that don't provide much support/cushioning, they wouldn't have all these joint/hip issues later in life, due to their feet/legs/knees/ankles/etc being strengthened naturally due to not wearing supportive shoes. However they may be many other factors including accidents/injuries that may occur at any time during any activity in life.

3. What types of shoes have you used in the past, and currently, for all activities whether its for work/exercise/travel/casual/etc.?

4. Have you tried supplementing with glucosamine + chondroitin + fish oil for your hip/knee issues? Those 3 in combination work great.

[fdotorres]

lack of cushioning really ****s up your knees. that's a fact

running with these things give you tons of stability, but i've never had any problems with twisted ankles and whatnot

there are different kinds of shoes for different kinds of people based on foot type, weight, foot width, etc. i'm more than happy with my lunar glide and even more with my gel-kinsei/kinetic, thank you very much

[CarlosG815]

I only run in these now.

http://www.eastbay.com/product/model...YWORD%20SEARCH

I used to get injuries all the time in my Air Max, which isn't really a running shoe but I never put any thought into it.

The shoe above is the same as the Pacquiao shoe. It is the best training shoe I've ever run in and I haven't had a metatarsal stress fracture since running in this shoe, and I've run a lot, and did a marathon 2 weeks ago in them.

Super comfortable, supportive, lightweight, and no pain after or during my run.

It's a really great shoe.